The opioid abuse epidemic in the United States has become a widespread problem in nearly every part of the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six out of 10 drug-related deaths in the U.S. involve an opioid, and the number of opioid-related fatalities has quadrupled since 1999.

Once it goes into effect, the new truck driver training rule will require specific classroom instruction for beginner truck drivers, as well as on-the-road training. However, safety advocates have been critical of the rule, which does not require any specific amount of time for new commercial drivers to spend behind the wheel before hitting the road as a professional.